About

Rabi Mohtar is a TEES Research Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University, serving as Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the American University of Beirut. His educational background includes a B.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences and a Diploma of Agricultural Engineering from the American University of Beirut, an M.Sc. in Irrigation Science from the same institution, and further graduate studies culminating in a Ph.D. in Agricultural Technology and Systems Management from Michigan State University. His areas of expertise encompass the development of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus framework linking science and policy, characterization of the soil-water medium using thermodynamic modeling, and the efficacy of non-traditional water for sustainable water management aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mohtar has made significant contributions to understanding and addressing global resource challenges, especially in the context of climate change, agricultural practices, and ecological systems management. He founded the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Initiative and the Water-Energy-Food-Heath Nexus Renewable Resources Initiative at the American University of Beirut. His leadership roles include serving as a Governor of the World Water Council, an Executive Board member of the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), and a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). His work emphasizes developing tools and policies to promote global resource security, with a focus on arable soils and water, aiming to support sustainable development and environmental health.

Research topics

• Social Science
• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Economics
• Management science
• Environmental science
• Engineering ethics
• Chemistry
• Water resource management
• Environmental engineering
• Knowledge management

Selected publications

• Water demand and surface water supply dynamics in the changing climate of semi-arid basins

  International Soil and Water Conservation Research · 2026-02-01

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Climate change is expected to increase vulnerability in the agricultural sector by increasing crop demand for water, limiting water supply, and adding pressure on freshwater resources. In developing countries, limited hydrological data and research make it difficult to quantify changes in surface water flow (Q) and Potential Evapotranspiration ( PET ), making effective water resource management challenging. This paper supports stakeholders in agricultural water management by examining short- and long-term effects of climate change, in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon, an ungauged, semi-arid sub-basin (9 km 2 ). The paper projects the impact of climate change on PET (linked to crop water requirements) and Q (linked to water supply), under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) SSP1 “Sustainability Road” and SSP3 “Regional Rivalry Road” during 2020–2100. PET was calculated using the Hargreaves method, and Q was calculated using the Modèle du Génie Rural à 2 paramètres Mensuel (GR2M) lumped model. Short term results show insignificant change of PET by 2041; however, Q is expected to drop by 38-52% by 2041. Similar patterns were observed in the long term, thus while the increase in water demand is nominal, the decline in water supply poses a serious concern. To address this challenge, the paper uses sensitivity analysis to provide quantitative hydrological projections aimed at supporting evidence-based decision-making, and identify physical parameters and anthropogenic drivers that impact surface-water flow. These insights will help farmers, policymakers, and water user associations foster inclusive dialogue, develop data-informed policies, and implement sustainable watershed management strategies.

  PublisherDOI

• Higher Education's Dual Role in the <scp>AI</scp> Economy: Balancing Foundational Learning and Micro‐Credential Innovation

  2026-01-09

  other

  The global rise of micro-credentials presents an agile solution for targeted technical upskilling, yet most artificial intelligence (AI)-related micro-credentials are offered by private sector organizations and emphasize technical skills. International bodies like the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Commission have created frameworks emphasizing the critical importance of AI literacy for primary and secondary education, outlining domains such as engaging with, creating, managing, and designing human-centric AI. As artificial intelligence increasingly becomes a driving force in the global economy, the dual mandate of higher education to balance foundational learning with micro-credential innovation has never been more consequential. Micro-credentials, when thoughtfully integrated into degree programs, provide universities with a mechanism for rapid response to industry needs without sacrificing the depth and breadth of learning that cultivates ethical reasoning, critical thinking, and domain expertise.

  PublisherDOI

• Stability and accuracy of the finite element solution to the kinematic wave overland flow

  2026-02-11

  book-chapterSenior author

  The numerical solution of the kinematic wave equations for overland flow is known for its numerical oscillations. The conventional Galerkin finite element consistent formulation results in violation of physical reality and numerical oscillations. Another cause of oscillations is the first derivative terms in the kinematic wave equations that result in non-symmetric operators that are very oscillatory in nature. The lumped formulation is tested in this paper as an alternative to the consistent formulation. It was found that the lumped formulation significantly improves stability of the solution with no reduction in accuracy. The upwind finite element method is also tested to remedy the oscillations caused by the first derivative. The latter scheme is applied to both, lumped and consistent formulations, using upwind factors of 0.1 and 1.0 and is evaluated in terms of stability and accuracy of the solution. The upwind method did not provide any improvement to the stability of both the lumped and the consistent formulation. It required smaller or equal time steps compared to a non-upwinded formulation for the same level of accuracy. The lumped formulation is recommended to solve overland flow problems as it was found to be the most efficient formulation to solve the 1-D kinematic wave equation for overland flow. The dynamic time step for the lumped formulation developed in this study can be easily integrated in overland flow routing models to guide the choice of the optimal time step with minimum user input.

  PublisherDOI

• Assessment of Long-Term Snow Cover Variability and Hydroclimatic Trends Using Satellite-Based Observations in the Neelum Watershed, Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2026-01-01

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• From pilot to paradigm: a community-driven model for building water-energy-food-climate-health resilience

  Frontiers in Environmental Science · 2026-04-13

  articleOpen access

  The compounding effects of climate change and resource scarcity on human health require locally led, action-oriented solutions. Pressures on water, energy, and food systems are intensified by resource limitations, population growth, and migration. The Arab region faces some of the highest recorded temperatures and acute water stress, making locally driven climate-health solutions critical. Despite increasing global climate finance, significant gaps remain in mobilizing funds and building capacity among community organizations addressing these issues. The Global Center on Climate Change, Water, Energy, Food, and Health Systems (GC3WEFH), funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), launched an innovative Pilot Grants Program in 2023. This paper explains the unique design and approach of the pilot program, which combines NIH review standards with grassroots empowerment and capacity building. The program operates as a “project/policy laboratory” utilizing a rigorous merit review process, a novel dual-tiered metrics framework, and dedicated capacity-building efforts, to produce actionable knowledge across its portfolio. By the conclusion of its third call, the program had received 20 total proposals and awarded 9 grants in Jordan, achieving an overall sanction rate of 45.0% and successfully turning broad climate, resource, and health services usage goals into concrete on-the-ground actions. Evaluation results demonstrate that this small-grant approach can achieve systemic results, such as a 60% reduction in agricultural water consumption and statistically significant improvements in clinical health outcomes among vulnerable populations. The findings suggest the program successfully encourages community participation, cultivates unique solutions to grassroots challenges, connects local efforts to national policies, and strengthens long-term organizational capacity of community organizations.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Scaling Limitations in Erosion Modeling: Implications for Developing a Robust Watershed Decision Support System- A Review

  Water Conservation Science and Engineering · 2026-02-12

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Treated wastewater reuse for irrigation in a semi-arid region

  The Science of The Total Environment · 2025-02-01 · 16 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• A review of water-energy-food nexus frameworks, models, challenges and future opportunities to create an integrated, national security-based development index

  Energy Nexus · 2025-03-18 · 28 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus has emerged as an innovative platform to assist with sustainable resource management. This review paper describes the WEF Nexus evolution during the last century and highlights its advances in tools, frameworks, and concepts. The paper critically assesses several aspects of the WEF Nexus including the milestones, major WEF frameworks, tools and models developed over the last twenty years, different WEF Nexus conceptualizations, and the significant support and investments reported in the 21st century. The relationship between the WEF Nexus and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is analyzed based on Nexus research studies, regional strategies or national programs were achieving WEF components lead to targeting some specific SDGs. The analysis of the principal WEF Nexus challenges and gaps emphasizes nature-driven crises such as water scarcity, energy shocks, and food shortages. Finally, the paper proposes a new business model that aims to quantify the water, energy, and food resources by country. The conceptual framework develops a WEF security index based on internationally recognized metrics and includes disaster risk and climate change, as well as trade-off as threats and contingency factors that are considered in the model. This review proposes a novel platform to assess the WEF security index per country as a pathway to contribute to SDGs 6,7,2,8 and 13.

  PublisherDOI

• Elucidating the Role of Engineered Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles on Soil-Water Capacity Properties: A Pedostructure Perspective

  ACS Applied Engineering Materials · 2025-06-24

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Downscaling SDG6 (clean water and sanitation) to decision relevant scales

  Water International · 2025-07-04

  articleOpen access

  Current efforts to localize Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) are hindered by uncertainties and risk, insufficient monitoring and inappropriate indexes, and limited exchanges among countries/regions. We provide perspectives on downscaling SDG6 - clean water and sanitation -1 to decision relevant scales everywhere in the world. We synthesize existing experiences to identify promising approaches; test entry points and applicability of SDG indicators in pilot basins, cities, and countries; promote evidence-based indexes and dashboards for local water management. In this way, we directly respond to a key question of the UN 2023 SDG progress report on how progress towards SDG6 can be accelerated.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Erik Braudeau

  Qatar Foundation

  75 shared

• Bassel Daher

  Texas A&M University

  55 shared

• Amjad T. Assi

  44 shared

• Sang‐Hyun Lee

  Chungbuk National University

  32 shared

• Majdi Abou Najm

  University of California, Davis

  30 shared

• Sandra F. Yanni

  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

  28 shared

• Seung‐Hwan Yoo

  18 shared

• Hatem Belhouchette

  14 shared

Labs

• WEF Nexus Research GroupPI

Education

• B.S., Agricultural Sciences

  American University of Beirut

  1983

• Other, Agricultural Engineering

  American University of Beirut

  1983

• M.S., Irrigation Science

  American University of Beirut

  1985

• M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering

  Michigan State University

  1992

• Ph.D., Agricultural Engineering

  Michigan State University

Awards & honors

• Fellow, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engi…
• Ven Te Chow Memorial Lecture, International Water Resources…
• Distinguished Alumnus, American University of Beirut, Facult…
• Kishida International Award, ASABE 2010